It seems natural to try and replace what you had with something similar. And while Mike Williams, Dwayne Jarrett and Patrick Turner were all different receivers, they fell under the same heading: big.

And this is where David Ausberry steps in. He's big, and he's ready for his shot.

"We've always given David the opportunity to be that guy because he has a lot of talent. It's just taken him a while. It took Patrick a while; it took Patrick till his junior year before he really got going," USC head coach Pete Carroll said. "I think David is ready to be a huge factor."

Ausberry has shied away from comparisons to the other big receivers in USC lore, saying he's his own player with his own unique skills. Still, there's no denying that the dude is big - 6-foot-4, 235 pounds of man.

"He's rocked up," Carroll said. "He's really ready to bust out for us. I don't see any reason to think other than that. Every day he's been out here he's competed really well and been a big factor. We know we can go to him and get things out of David play after play.

"That's different than it's been. But it's what we've expected of him over the years, and finally he's there."